Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-06
CHARL EsToN,s POLICE.
An Entire ReOrga niz alton of the
Force on the Tapis.

Force on the Tapis.
CHARLESTON, Jan. 5.-The OLD City by
the Sea, havin. some " lat recovered from
the effects of the seismic shocks to which
she has been subjected recently, ia now
undergoing a series OF financial and
political shocks which, il not as disas-
trous, promise TO be equally as agitating
as the earthquake trou oIes. The readers
OF the MORNING News have already been
Informed OF the assessment shock, which
promised at one time to snake the old CITY
literally to its found ttion. The city
fathers, however, poured oil upon the
troubled waters by reducing the assess-
ments 10 basis which will bring them
down TO an earthquake level. Another
shock occurred to-day when the an
nOuncement was made of the reol ganiza-
ton Of the police force. Heretofore the
police have been divided into two Sec
IONS, one stationed at the lower guard
mousse, at the Intersection OF Broad and
Meeting streets, and the other at guard
mouse on King, near Cannon street.
TWO SETS OF OFFICERS.
While the entire force was under the
control OF one Chief the division OF course
equil ed double set of officers. There
were three lleutenants, two orderly SER
geants, four sergeants, four roundsmen
and TWO gate sentinels at each station,
an arrangement that cost a considerable
amount of money. Since the earthquake
the consolidation Of the force has been
the subject OF general comment and COM
mendaliOn, and this was effected
last night The management of
The force is entrusted to Board
of Commissioners appointed by Council,
who are charged with the election of OH
GERS and the appointment OF Policemen.
This board met last night and perfected
the consolidation Of the force by the cleo
tion of one Chief. three Lieutenants, two
Orderly Sergeants and tour Sergeants.
This, of course, necess tated the leaving
out of good many Lieutenants and Ser
yeats. Th public, as general thing, is
not at all satisfied with the deal and 1t is
doubtful il the Council, which has sort
of supervisory control of the Board oil
Commissioners. will confirm its action.
THE CHEF.
In the first place there is a widespread
dissatisfaction about the chief, who is
universally admitted to be a clever gen.
tleman, but VINO is generally thought to
be unified by breedlng and instincts for
the position which ne fills. The re cleo
ton caused the resignation of the chair
man of the board. In the second place
the board is charged with
making a deal i'll the choice
of the Lieutenants. Thew retired
Capt. Sigwald, the only eX-Confederate
soldier on the force, and Lieut.. FOrdham,
a colOred maa who has proved his d.vO-
ton to the white race by service OF
nearly twenty years, and who is admitted
TO be one of the most efficient and reliable
officers on the force. It is said on the
street corners that the election was the
result of a 'deaP' between the members
OF the board, each member having bis
favorite, and the Chairman of the Board,
who esigned, minated as much in his
letter of resignation, which was pub
llshed yesterday and in which he says:
At the conference which we had after our
last regular meeting il became apparent TO
me WHO would DE the choice of the majority
of this board for the Off g If ChIef of Police,
hence l am not surprised at the result oil the
election just held. | have, however, short
statement TO make ana ask the privilege to
have it spread on your minutes.
The officer who has just now been re- elected
Cbief, requires no Endorsement from me as to
his high personal character and spOtless repu-
tatiun as ii gentleman. My opposition to his
reelection was base solely on the fact that
he Is not fitted by nature or framing for the
position. He is not dlsciplnarlan, he IS
not an organ ger, and has IN the past commit
ted grave errors OF jud ment IN the manage
menJ of the force These shUrtc0mi IS have
been noticed, commenced GU and admitted,
by every member OF TINS board, and yet,
slrsn&e to say. nearly every member has
voted TO retain him.
AS was stated, the action of the board
is subject to tue confirmation of the CITY
Council, aud there is good deal of loose
talk on the streets looking to the non-cOn-
firmatiOn of Tue election.